Cover Letter:
This project topic was prompted by my deep interest for language and how it interacts with every aspect of life. I started to question how and why language changes as well as the role technology plays in these shifts. In all honestly, the topic was quite daunting and I'm still left with many questions about the future of the English language as well as what other ways linguistic changes impact me. But I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this topic and I hope to continue my questioning forever. Inevitably, as I find more answers I will also find new questions. I welcome this journey and this continued exploration of linguistic curiosity.
Essay:
In considering my various interests and questions about the world, it quickly became apparent that the idea of language and its evolution drew me in. I wondered about so many things. How has language changed over time? Why does it change? What role has the internet played in this evolution? Can one prompt a linguistic change or can one only occur organically? These questions (along with many others) prompted a deep dive into the heart of language itself. They forced me to consider the importance of language in society and how language impacts our lives.
On a very basic level, it is easy to see that language (or at least the vernacular) has become increasingly casual in recent years. English-speaking societies have abandoned the flowery language and formal diction of the Shakespearean era in favor of colloquialisms and informal language. The presence of technology has played a huge role in this shift. As more technology has emerged, our society has become increasingly focused on being as productive as possible. We see this technologically-driven focus after the invention of the cotton gin, the popularization of email, and other things. This obsession with productivity bleeds into our language as well, forcing us to focus more on succinctly and quickly communicating information rather than making it sound beautiful.
This is not to say that our society has completed abandoned the art of beautiful language. However, it is certainly not as revered or focused on as it was before. Nowadays, most modern novels focus more on the plot and character development rather than complex metaphors or flowery prose.
Similarly, the internet has brought about a whole new brand of English. There are now new words and ways of speaking that are not technically grammatically correct but are nonetheless understood and used by most of the younger generation. For example, many popular slang words have quickly cycled through popularity and extinction. Words such as YOLO (You only live once) and selfie (a photo taken of oneself) fit into this category of internet words becoming mainstream (and sometimes even becoming a part of the official English Dictionary!) There are forms of English syntax that are widely used and understood on the internet that are not formally recognized, but are still widespread “rules”. These are not taught, but rather patterns of speech that are learned through repeated exposure. For example- someone online could say, “We should all believe in climate change. Why? Because science.” Although “Because science” should technically be written “Because of science”, this phraseology is still commonplace online. It functions partially as a convenient way of shortening speech as well as a way people have begun to communicate with a somewhat joking tone.
When considering whether these changes occur naturally or whether someone intentionally initiates them, it is necessary to recognize that these two possibilities are not diametrically opposed. Although the creators of these words or grammatical trends are probably not expecting to shape a linguistic era, they are certainly adapting their speech to suit the needs of the ever-changing world we live in. For example, the creator of the word “selfie” probably did not anticipate how popular the word had become. But they certainly considered the trend of self-portraits on social media and intentionally invented a catchy name to describe the phenomenon.
On a broader scale, linguistic evolutions occur through a change in society. Whether these societal shifts are driven by changing technology, morality, religion, politics, or other forces, they are responses to the demands of the people. If society is focused on productivity and speed as it is now, the language adapts for quick function rather than artistry. On the other side of the coin, the language will lean more heavily on beautifully-crafted prose and flowery word choice if a society is focused on exploring the capabilities of man when it comes to art and language (as it was during the Renaissance for example). Because of this, any shifts in language are intentional in the sense that they deliberately respond to the demands of society, but unintentional in the sense that people are not creating words or phrases with the specific intent for them to become widespread.
Overall, the link between all linguistic evolutions is society and its priorities. This prompts us to consider the relevance of language in society as well as its impact on our lives. It’s undeniable that language is important. Broadly, language allows us to speak, write, and generally communicate ideas that change our own lives as well as the world. On a smaller scale, it can also bond together a generation by allowing them a communal set of linguistic rules and phrases that people outside the generation may not understand. This can create a bond between them and allow them to expand their own understandings of language and the ideas it can communicate.
There will invariably continue to be changes in language. One day, I will be equally as confused with the speech patterns of future generations ass older generations currently are with me. It’s impossible to guess what these changes will be, but they will surely respond to the changing priorities and needs of society at the time. Until then, we’re left to question how this will impact our interactions, our expressions of knowledge, and our understandings of the world in its entirety.
On a very basic level, it is easy to see that language (or at least the vernacular) has become increasingly casual in recent years. English-speaking societies have abandoned the flowery language and formal diction of the Shakespearean era in favor of colloquialisms and informal language. The presence of technology has played a huge role in this shift. As more technology has emerged, our society has become increasingly focused on being as productive as possible. We see this technologically-driven focus after the invention of the cotton gin, the popularization of email, and other things. This obsession with productivity bleeds into our language as well, forcing us to focus more on succinctly and quickly communicating information rather than making it sound beautiful.
This is not to say that our society has completed abandoned the art of beautiful language. However, it is certainly not as revered or focused on as it was before. Nowadays, most modern novels focus more on the plot and character development rather than complex metaphors or flowery prose.
Similarly, the internet has brought about a whole new brand of English. There are now new words and ways of speaking that are not technically grammatically correct but are nonetheless understood and used by most of the younger generation. For example, many popular slang words have quickly cycled through popularity and extinction. Words such as YOLO (You only live once) and selfie (a photo taken of oneself) fit into this category of internet words becoming mainstream (and sometimes even becoming a part of the official English Dictionary!) There are forms of English syntax that are widely used and understood on the internet that are not formally recognized, but are still widespread “rules”. These are not taught, but rather patterns of speech that are learned through repeated exposure. For example- someone online could say, “We should all believe in climate change. Why? Because science.” Although “Because science” should technically be written “Because of science”, this phraseology is still commonplace online. It functions partially as a convenient way of shortening speech as well as a way people have begun to communicate with a somewhat joking tone.
When considering whether these changes occur naturally or whether someone intentionally initiates them, it is necessary to recognize that these two possibilities are not diametrically opposed. Although the creators of these words or grammatical trends are probably not expecting to shape a linguistic era, they are certainly adapting their speech to suit the needs of the ever-changing world we live in. For example, the creator of the word “selfie” probably did not anticipate how popular the word had become. But they certainly considered the trend of self-portraits on social media and intentionally invented a catchy name to describe the phenomenon.
On a broader scale, linguistic evolutions occur through a change in society. Whether these societal shifts are driven by changing technology, morality, religion, politics, or other forces, they are responses to the demands of the people. If society is focused on productivity and speed as it is now, the language adapts for quick function rather than artistry. On the other side of the coin, the language will lean more heavily on beautifully-crafted prose and flowery word choice if a society is focused on exploring the capabilities of man when it comes to art and language (as it was during the Renaissance for example). Because of this, any shifts in language are intentional in the sense that they deliberately respond to the demands of society, but unintentional in the sense that people are not creating words or phrases with the specific intent for them to become widespread.
Overall, the link between all linguistic evolutions is society and its priorities. This prompts us to consider the relevance of language in society as well as its impact on our lives. It’s undeniable that language is important. Broadly, language allows us to speak, write, and generally communicate ideas that change our own lives as well as the world. On a smaller scale, it can also bond together a generation by allowing them a communal set of linguistic rules and phrases that people outside the generation may not understand. This can create a bond between them and allow them to expand their own understandings of language and the ideas it can communicate.
There will invariably continue to be changes in language. One day, I will be equally as confused with the speech patterns of future generations ass older generations currently are with me. It’s impossible to guess what these changes will be, but they will surely respond to the changing priorities and needs of society at the time. Until then, we’re left to question how this will impact our interactions, our expressions of knowledge, and our understandings of the world in its entirety.
Bibliography:
Dishman, Lydia. "The dark history of our obsession with productivity." Fast Company, 12 Sept. 2018, www.fastcompany.com/90230330/how-our-
obsession-with-productivity-evolved. Accessed 11 May 2020.
"Selfie." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie. Accessed 11 May. 2020.
Steinmetz, Katy. "The Internet Is Changing the English Language. Is That a Good Thing?" Time Magazine, 18 July 2019, time.com/5629246/because-
internet-book-review/. Accessed 11 May 2020.
obsession-with-productivity-evolved. Accessed 11 May 2020.
"Selfie." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfie. Accessed 11 May. 2020.
Steinmetz, Katy. "The Internet Is Changing the English Language. Is That a Good Thing?" Time Magazine, 18 July 2019, time.com/5629246/because-
internet-book-review/. Accessed 11 May 2020.